Changing delivery parameters in processing physical mail based on recipient's response to electronic notification

Abstract

A method for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece intended to be delivered to an intended recipient, the method including receiving a first electronic file from a mailer regarding the mail piece; sending a first electronic communication to the intended recipient based upon the first electronic file; and receiving a second electronic communication based upon the first electronic communication. At least one of the delivery parameters of the mail piece are changed based upon the second electronic communication.

1 . A method for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece intended to be delivered to an intended recipient, the method comprising: 
 receiving a first electronic file from a mailer regarding the mail piece;    sending a first electronic communication to the intended recipient based upon the first electronic file;    receiving a second electronic communication based upon the first electronic communication; and    wherein at least one of the delivery parameters of the mail piece are changed based upon the second electronic communication.    
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the delivery parameter comprises a special processing delivery parameter, and changing the delivery parameter of the mail piece comprises changing the special processing delivery parameter of the mail piece.  
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the service provider comprises a mail service provider.  
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the delivery parameter comprises speed of delivery of the mail piece.  
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein changing the delivery parameter of the mail piece comprises not delivering the mail piece.  
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein changing the delivery parameter of the mail piece comprises re-directing the mail piece.  
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein changing the delivery parameter of the mail piece comprises changing the address of the mail piece.  
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 1  further comprising viewing at least a portion of contents of the mail piece electronically by the intended recipient.  
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the first electronic communication comprises an email.  
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the email comprises a URL link.  
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the first electronic communication comprises information regarding the mail piece.  
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11  wherein the second electronic communication comprises at least some information from the first electronic communication.  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 11  wherein the first electronic file comprises intended recipient information, wherein a second electronic file from the service provider to the mailer comprises at least some information from the first electronic file and information from the second electronic communication, and the method further comprises: 
 changing the intended recipient information for the mail piece based upon the second electronic file received by the mailer.    
     
     
         14 . A method of preparing mail pieces to be mailed by a mailer, the method comprising: 
 preparing a list of intended recipients of the mail pieces; and    changing the list of intended recipients based upon an electronic file from a service provider received by the mailer, wherein the electronic file from the service provider comprises information from an electronic communication of an intended recipient on the list, and wherein changing the list comprises deleting the intended recipient from the list or changing a delivery address corresponding to the intended recipient on the list.    
     
     
         15 . A system for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece intended to be delivered to an intended recipient, the system comprising: 
 a system for receiving a first electronic file from a mailer regarding the mail piece;    a system for sending a first electronic communication to the intended recipient regarding the mail piece based upon the first electronic file;    a system for receiving a second electronic communication from the intended recipient based upon the first electronic communication; and    a system for changing the delivery parameter of the mail piece based upon the second electronic communication.    
     
     
         16 . A system for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece as in  claim 15  wherein the system for changing a delivery parameter is adapted to change a special processing delivery parameter of the mail piece.  
     
     
         17 . A system for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece as in  claim 16  wherein the special processing delivery parameter comprises speed of delivery of the mail piece.  
     
     
         18 . A system for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece as in  claim 15  wherein the system for changing the delivery parameter of the mail piece based upon the second electronic communication is adapted to stop delivery of the mail piece to the intended recipient.  
     
     
         19 . A system for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece as in  claim 15  wherein the system for changing the delivery parameter of the mail piece based upon the second electronic communication is adapted to re-direct the mail piece.  
     
     
         20 . A system for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece as in  claim 15  wherein the system for changing the delivery parameter of the mail piece based upon the second electronic communication is adapted to re-address the mail piece.  
     
     
         21 . A system for changing a delivery parameter of a mail piece as in  claim 15  wherein the first electronic file comprises intended recipient information, and wherein the second electronic file comprises at least some information from the first electronic file and information from the second electronic communication; and further comprising a system for addressing the mail piece based upon the changed intended recipient information.  
     
     
         22 . A system for preparing mail pieces to be mailed by a mailer, the system comprising: 
 a system for changing information in a list of intended recipients of the mail pieces based upon an electronic file from a service provider received by the mailer, wherein the electronic file from the service provider comprises information from an electronic communication of an intended recipient on the list, and wherein the information changing system is adapted to delete the intended recipient from the list; and    a system for addressing the mail pieces based upon the changed information in the list of intended recipients.    
     
     
         23 . A method of delivering a mail piece, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving the mail piece for delivery to a recipient in accordance with a first delivery service level;    establishing a cost associated with the first delivery service level;    providing an electronic notification to the recipient about the mail piece including information relating to the first delivery service level;    receiving a request from the recipient to change the first delivery service level to a second delivery service level;    establishing an incremental cost associated with the change to the second delivery service level; and    attributing the incremental cost to the recipient.    
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 23  wherein the electronic notification includes information about the mail piece.  
     
     
         25 . A method as in  claim 24  wherein the mail piece information includes at least some of mailer identity, content and date of deposit.  
     
     
         26 . A method as in  claim 23  wherein the first and second delivery service levels include at least one of delivery time, insurance, signature requirement, class of service and tracking.  
     
     
         27 . A method as in  claim 23  wherein the information in the electronic notification includes first information from a first communication from a mailer to a service provider.